The past few years have been rough for me as a sorority advisor. Ha....Bestie is laughing at that understatement. I've wanted to quit for the majority of the past two (or more) years. But something kept me going. A good friend who is a fellow advisor, a sweet moment that makes me think I can make a difference, a very successful Recruitment, or a variety of other little moments. And a lot of guilt knowing that if I leave the team, my responsibilities will fall to people who already have more than they can handle right now.

My team is made up of a group similar to every other I've been a part of in life: one or two who are big time doers, one or two who do more than others, and then several who show up 50% of the time at best but never do an ounce extra knowing that the big time doers will of course do it all when needed. I know y'all can all relate as it is the same in every Junior League, sorority, church, charity board, alum committee, community club, etc. And many of us are in the "big time doer" category. We have been since birth. It's just who we are. So we do what we do because it's within our souls to just...you know...do it. But it's exhausting much of the time to do your job plus pick up the slack of others. I mean, this isn't my only gig. This is a volunteer position. A thankless job that I do because I have a passion for my (and all, for that matter) sorority and the potential these women posses. They are so incredibly smart and talented and motivated and exceptional. But they can infuriate and exhaust me too!

Until this past September, my four year mark doing this job, not one single time had I been thanked. Not once! Clearly I don't do this to make friends or get praise. But then after our amazing(and newly altered) Recruitment was over, one lovely young lady said thank you to me. I nearly fell over and started to cry. It was a brief moment but one of the most outstanding moments in my tenure as an advisor. They don't hate me (all the time) and they do know (sometimes) that I am there because I care for and love them so dearly!

Then this semester happened. Started out great. My exec officers are truly incredible! One of the strongest teams I've ever had! But the good was not to stick around too long of course. Chaos ensued. Due to the university, not the women. I was so stinkin' mad at this school for doing what I felt was so very wrong to my women. I went to bat for them. I always go to bat for them but for whatever reason, they seemed to notice this time. I talked to their parents and other advisors and had meetings with the administration and had our big wigs make calls. And I sat and talked to them ad nauseum. Sister to sister. I didn't solve anything. But they took notice and finally realized that there is big time love in my heart for them. And then the sea parted and the thank you emails started filling up my inbox! They had me in tears. I've talked about them non-stop. Nothing has meant more to me as they were all so genuine and sweet. At the end of this past week, the once impossible happened. The university reversed their decision and my girls (and all the other Greeks too) won the battle! I literally squealed with delight. I did not think this was possible. And with that, more gratitude came my way. I just cannot believe it! Four and half years and I finally feel that I am doing some good with this position. I make mistakes all the time. But I have never felt more passionate about my chapter. I see the difference it is making in my life to feel gratitude and I am making a very concerted effort to reciprocate that towards them. The positive attitude is just such an amazing and motivating change of pace!

Is there someone in your life who has gone above and beyond for you or your group? Has anyone thought to say those two little words of gratitude to them? Two words. A phrase we learn in diapers. But one that is often over-looked in our daily lives. I am nearly in tears just telling the very simplified version of this story. Mind your P's and Q's (and yes I know where that phrase comes from), treat others as you would like to be treated and always remember to say "thank you!"